7 / 10
If there’s cleverness to the way Lindsay-Abaire keeps passing the buck of hypocrisy between the members of the neighborhood association, there’s also a pervading sense of decorum that limits how far the satire can go. Just as Elliot respects the importance of neighborhood serenity above all, Lindsay-Abaire and Leon aren’t going to put anything onstage that will truly turn off an audience.
8 / 10
MTC has afforded the play its typically expert production, with Derek McLane’s gorgeous set and Emilio Sosa’s incisive costuming making important contributions. The Balusters ultimately doesn’t have enough thematic heft to feel like much more than an entertaining diversion. But like the object that gives the play its title, it provides sturdy support for an evening of solid laughs.
Watch in this video as 2026 Tony Award nominee Richard Thomas chats more about the show's incredible ensemble of actors, why he loves making audiences laugh eight times a week, and so much more.
Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of The Balusters will extend for an additional two weeks at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. The production has received 16 award nominations, making it the most nominated new Broadway play of the season.
Annette Bening and Ella Beatty recently paid a visit to The Balusters, which is now playing on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. The pair posed with the cast backstage after the performance. Check out the photos here!
As BroadwayWorld previously reported, The Balusters has extended for an additional two weeks and will now run through Sunday, June 7 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Watch a scene from the new play in this video!
Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of THE BALUSTERS, the Drama League and Outer Critics Circle-nominated play by David Lindsay-Abaire and directed by Kenny Leon, has extended its run at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
Tony Award-winner Anika Noni Rose is back on Broadway in The Balusters, a new play by David Lindsay-Abaire. The performer is also releasing a new children's book this September, and spoke about both projects on TODAY. Watch her interview.
The world premiere of The Balusters, a new play by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire, directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon, officially opened at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Watch in this video as the whole cast and creative team celebrate the special night!
The world premiere of The Balusters, a new play by David Lindsay-Abaire, directed by Kenny Leon, is now open at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Check out photos of the cast taking their opening night bows here!
The critics are weighing-in on the world premiere of The Balusters, a new play by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire, directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon. Read the reviews and learn more about this new comedy now at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in our review roundup!
You can now get a first look at production photos for the world premiere of The Balusters, a new play by David Lindsay-Abaire and directed by Kenny Leon, now in previews at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
Performances are now underway for Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of The Balusters, a new play by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire, directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon. Meet the cast of The Balusters here!
Manhattan Theatre Club will soon present the world premiere of THE BALUSTERS, a new play by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire, directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon. Check out photos of the new Broadway marquee here.
Manhattan Theatre Club has released rehearsal photos for The Balusters, a new play by David Lindsay-Abaire. Directed by Kenny Leon, the production will begin previews at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. The cast includes Marylouise Burke and Anika Noni Rose.
Rehearsals are officially underway for Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of The Balusters, a new play by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire, directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon. Check out photos of the cast in rehearsals here.
In this video, watch as playwright Lindsay-Abaire breaks down his words from The Balusters in the newest episode of BroadwayWorld's Notes on a Script.
The Balusters is coming to Broadway! David Lindsay-Abaire’s new play is being presented by Manhattan Theatre Club. Watch in this video as the full company chats more about what audiences can expect.
The cast of the upcoming Broadway production of David Lindsay-Abaire’s The Balusters recently met the press. Check out photos and learn more about the production here!
Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose will replace previously announced Renée Elise Goldsberry in the upcoming Broadway production of David Lindsay-Abaire’s The Balusters.
Manhattan Theatre Club has announced complete casting for the world premiere of The Balusters, by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire, directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon.
On The Jennifer Hudson Show, Tony Award winner Renée Elise Goldsberry shared her excitement for returning to Broadway in The Balusters next Spring. Check out the interview now.
Manhattan Theatre Club has announced initial casting for the world premiere of The Balusters, by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire, directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon.
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Costume Design of a Play | Emilio Sosa |
| 2026 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Direction of a Play | Kenny Leon |
| 2026 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play | Maria-Christina Oliveras |
| 2026 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play | Richard Thomas |
| 2026 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Fight Choreography | Thomas Schall |
| 2026 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play | Anika Noni Rose |
| 2026 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Play | The Balusters |
| 2026 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play | Derek McLane |
| 2026 | Drama League Awards | OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY | The Balusters |
| 2026 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Play | The Balusters |
| 2026 | Tony Awards | Best Costume Design of a Play | Emilio Sosa |
| 2026 | Tony Awards | Best Direction of a Play | Kenny Leon |
| 2026 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play | Richard Thomas |
| 2026 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play | Marylouise Burke |
| 2026 | Tony Awards | Best Play | The Balusters |
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